U.S. Should Showcase Human Rights

Re “Using Leverage in the ‘Stans,’ ” Nov. 19: Tying American economic aid to the elimination of human rights abuses is absolutely essential. Repressive governments only breed violent and desperate populations who then attempt to terrorize the world because they have nothing left to lose. We, as Americans, must at the very least try to encourage democratic reform and human rights when we are forced into an “unsavory shotgun marriage” with authoritarian regimes, if we can’t actually foster nation-building based on the principles of our own democratic society.

This would engender like-minded populations in other nations who would value our notions of civilization and democratic processes to bring about change and social justice and not resort to violence to showcase their demands, which is what they have been taught by their violent and repressive governments.

Tehmina Adaya Tannir

Santa Monica